Panopticon Gallery Internship — Fall 2026

Panopticon Gallery, Boston's oldest photography gallery, is seeking a highly motivated intern for the Fall 2026 semester. Located in Boston's Kenmore Square, Panopticon Gallery specializes in contemporary photography and presents exhibitions by emerging, established, and internationally recognized photographers.

This photography gallery internship in Boston offers students hands-on experience working in a commercial art gallery and an opportunity to learn about the day-to-day operations of a professional photography gallery.

Interns will gain experience in artist management, exhibition planning and installation, gallery marketing, social media, sales, collections management, and customer service. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in photography, art history, arts administration, gallery management, or careers in the commercial art market.

Internship Responsibilities

The Fall 2026 gallery intern will assist with a range of gallery operations and projects, including:

  • Assisting with exhibition openings, receptions, and other gallery events

  • Providing general support during events and public programs

  • Maintaining and updating Panopticon Gallery's social media channels

  • Interacting with visitors, collectors, artists, and the general public

  • Monitoring the gallery and assisting with day-to-day gallery operations

  • Assisting with exhibition planning, design, installation, and deinstallation

  • Assisting with the design and production of promotional and press materials

  • Supporting artist and exhibition-related projects

  • Assisting with artwork and film drop-offs and pickups

  • Supporting collections management and the organization of artwork

  • Learning about gallery sales, client relationships, and the commercial art market

Who Should Apply?

This art gallery internship in Boston is particularly well suited to students pursuing a degree in:

  • Photography

  • Art History

  • Arts Administration

  • Fine Arts

  • Museum Studies

  • Visual Arts

  • A related field

Ideal candidates are highly motivated, responsible, organized, and comfortable working independently. Strong communication and customer service skills are important, as interns will interact with artists, collectors, gallery visitors, clients, and members of the public.

An interest in contemporary photography and the commercial art market is strongly encouraged.

What You'll Learn

This internship provides practical experience in the operations of a working photography gallery. Depending on the gallery's current exhibitions and projects, interns may gain experience with:

  • Contemporary photography exhibitions

  • Exhibition design and installation

  • Artist relations and management

  • Gallery marketing and social media

  • Public relations and promotional materials

  • Art sales and customer service

  • Collections management

  • Artwork handling

  • Gallery events and openings

  • Commercial gallery operations

The internship is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of what it takes to operate a contemporary photography gallery and prepare for careers in the commercial art market, photography, arts administration, or gallery and museum work.

Internship Details

Semester: Fall 2026
Location: Boston, Massachusetts — Kenmore Square, located inside of Hotel Commonwealth
Schedule: Two days per week
Dates: September–December 2026
Compensation: Unpaid; academic credit required

This is an unpaid internship for college or university credit. Applicants must be able to receive school credit through their educational institution. We cannot accept applicants who are unable to receive academic credit for the internship.

Interns will work two days per week beginning in September and continuing through December 2026.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to director@panopticongallery.com.

Please use the subject line:

Fall 2026 Panopticon Gallery Internship

In your cover letter, please tell us briefly about your background, your interest in photography or the arts, and what you hope to learn from an internship at Panopticon Gallery.

Application Deadline

September 1, 2026

Applications received after the deadline may be considered depending on availability.

About Panopticon Gallery

Established in 1971, Panopticon Gallery is one of Boston's leading galleries dedicated to photography. Located in Kenmore Square, the gallery presents contemporary photography exhibitions and works with photographers at various stages of their careers.

The gallery is part of Panopticon's broader photography business, which includes professional film processing, scanning, printing, framing, and other photographic services. This provides interns with an opportunity to experience photography not only as an exhibition medium but also as a working commercial and creative practice.